Letter to the Editor

Reader thanks area manager

Sunday, March 30, 2008

To the Editor:

There are moments in life that have a lasting impression.

On the afternoon of Saturday, March 22, at the Kroger grocery store in Brazil, my mother-in-law and I experienced treatment that exceeded normal service.

Store manager Jeanie Brazzell displayed exceptional control and professionalism during a very distressful situation and on a very busy shopping day.

At 1 p.m., we arrived at the store to a very packed parking lot. This was no surprise. It was the day before Easter Sunday.

Like most of the other shoppers, we had our list in hand to purchase the items we needed to prepare Easter lunch. My mother-in-law was very excited to be spending the holiday weekend with us and although I would be preparing most of the dishes, she was compelled to purchase the spiral ham.

I invited her to join me for the shopping trip so that she could hand select the ham of her choice. As we were making our way toward the checkout after obtaining all of the items on our list, my mother-in-law became ill.

We quickly headed toward the restroom but were unable to make it completely inside. I looked toward the cashier stations to get the attention of an employee when Jeanie came toward me with a smile. She could read the situation and asked if there was anything she could do.

I only asked that she keep an eye on my cart while I tended to my mother-in-law, but Jeanie didn't stop there.

She secured my cart and assured us that this was no big deal. As soon as my mother-in-law was ready to continue, Jeanie asked again if there was anything she could do. My main concern was to get my mother-in-law back home, although we still had a full cart of groceries that needed bagged and paid for.

Jeanie instructed me to take my mother-in-law to the vehicle and pull it up front and she would take care of the rest. Jeanie quickly pulled her team together, opened a closed checkout, personally unloaded my cart and had an associate ready to deliver the bagged groceries to my vehicle.

Within 10 minutes, we were on our way home with the groceries. Jeanie turned what was a very unpleasant situation into an act of sincere kindness. It is compassion and service like this that makes me proud to live in Brazil, Ind., where hometown hospitality is still valued.

Much appreciation to Jeanie Brazzell and her amazing Kroger team.

Jana Nees,

Brazil